Hello Everyone!
Wow -- just looking this blog has made me laugh a little bit. I had started writing the blog Tuesday morning, but boy have things changed since then! I appreciate everyone being so flexible with the changes happening this week (Monday expecting a guest teacher and not having one, Tuesday unexpectedly having a guest teacher, having me be with your children virtually, and also your child missing out on seeing some friends from Mr. VW's class in person at school.) I'm sure this has been A LOT for you and your child. Please keep me updated if there is anything I can do to help ease these changes or any worries your child may have. I did talk with our class about this, and we brainstormed ways to make this feel better if it's not going well, or ways that we can continue to feel good about this if it already is. Let me know if you talk with your child about this too and there is anything you'd like to pass on to me.
As you have heard from Mrs. Frischmann's email or probably from your child, the guest teacher who is with our class will be my long term substitute teacher for when I am on maternity leave. I'm hoping the students are enjoying getting to know Ms. Raasch and that she will be a welcomed familiar face when I need to leave.
I also just HAVE to share the feedback from our guest teacher when she was in my room Tuesday:
I want to say I'm shocked or surprised, but really I am not. Everything she said is very accurate of each one of your children...they are simply amazing!!! I felt a little bit sad that I needed to share the students with her that day, which I imagine is how you may feel sharing your child with their teacher any year. For that, I want to thank you. I am loving every moment I get with these kids.
Reminders:
- Picture Day is this week -- forms can be filled out online, or let me know if you'd prefer a paper copy and I can send one home with your student
Coming Up:
September 30: Picture Day
October 29: NO SCHOOL
October 30: NO SCHOOL
Curriculum:
Math: Our mathematicians showed each other many ways we can add 3 digit numbers. Next week, we'll be sharing strategies to subtract 3 digit numbers, paying close attention to when we need to "ungroup." We use words like "ungroup" so students can see and understand what is actually going on -- words like "borrow" or "carry the one" don't hold much meaning for students, so your child will not be familiar with them :)
Writing: In writing, students became job captains of their own writing and decided what they need to do to make it even better. Some chose to revise by rewriting the important parts, bringing their characters to life, or finding the parts that do not make sense and rewrite it. This week, students will get their very own writers notebook!
Reading: We really tried to amp up our predictions this week in our books. Instead of just saying what we think will happen next, we tried to make a 4 star prediction by using details in the book to explain what we think the character will do, say, or feel next (and exactly how they will do it!) You can encourage this at home by asking your child to make a prediction. You can ask things like "Why do you think that? What details in the book made you predict that? Does _____ seem like the kind of character who would _____? How do you think the character will _____?"
As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Jenny Kocourek